For just the second time in history, Gillingham won the “A2 derby” at The Valley as skipper Kyle Dempsey’s piledriver just four minutes from time edged out Charlton Athletic in a five-goal thriller that had just about everything.
Given The Gills’ shocking record at The Valley remarkably – a solitary win in eighteen previous trips up the A2 – this win was their second in their last three visits and was sealed by Dempsey’s angled 86th minute drive that flew into the roof of Ben Amos’ net.
The Gills were fast out of the blocks with Olly Lee putting the visitors in front in the opening minute only for Chuks Aneke to level on the quarter hour.
Connor Ogilvie then restored the Gills advantage before the break with a strike that even had the pundits (Paul Merson, Harry Redknapp and Lee Hendrie) in the Sky Sports studios applauding.
Charlton levelled again through Jayden Stockley before Aneke was shown a second yellow card for a high challenge on Ogilvie with twenty minutes left.
The Gills took full advantage and Lee was unlucky with a shot that came back off the bar, but from the rebound found its way to Dempsey via John Akinde and Robbie McKenzie and the skipper drilled home the winner in front of an empty away visitors stand at The Valley – how the missing Gills fans would have loved to see the skipper’s strike and the celebrations!
The Gills were hit before the start with both Jordan Graham and Callum Slattery side-lined through injury, but manager Steve Evans was able to name Stuart O’Keefe in a starting line up for a League game for the first time since Hull City visited Priestfield in September.
In an incredible start to the game, Lee – whose dad Robert of course made his name at The Valley – slotted home Akinde’s pass inside the opening minute from the edge of the box. The home side roared right back and Aneke struck Jack Bonham’s post in the fifth minute before sending a header against the other post after fourteen minutes.
It proved to be third time lucky for Aneke as he levelled with a low drive into the bottom corner.
Bonham excelled to keep out Pratley’s shot that seemed destined for the top corner whilst at the other end Vadaine Oliver saw an angled header go wide before eight minutes from the break, The Gills retook the lead with a wonder goal.
Lee played a square ball just outside the box to Ogilvie and as the ball dropped, The Gills bandage headed defender magnificently hit the volley screaming past Amos who was left clutching at thin air.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer clearly had words with his side at the break as they roared out of the traps at the start of the second half and Stockley will have been disappointed not to have tested Bonham with an early chance.
Stockley wasn’t though to be denied as in the fifty-second minute, he did really well to get on the end of Andrew Shinnie’s cross to score with a fine header.
Akinde fired wide just before chances came at both ends – Bonham denying Aneke; Lee fired a good chance high and wide – before Aneke then turned from hero to villain. Booked for a late challenge on sixty-eight minutes, just two minutes later, the striker left Ogilvie in a heap on the edge of the box leaving referee Johnson little choice than to reach for his yellow card for a second time, and the home side were down to ten.
The Gills had chances to get back in front for a third time – the best a low Oliver drive that was well saved by Amos – before with just four minutes on the clock, the away win was sealed. Lee’s drive thudded against the bar and as play developed, Akinde had a chance blocked before the ball fell to McKenzie who found Dempsey who did the rest as he came in off the right-hand side.
The win sets Gillingham up for back-to-back home games in what is now an important coming week as Peterborough and Bristol Rovers head for Priestfield showdowns as The Gills look to cut the gap to the top six.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC – Amos, Gunter, Oshilaja, Pearce, Purrington (Schwartz 88), Shinnie, Pratley (Morgan 91), Forster-Caskey (Jaiyesimia 26), Millar, Stockley, Aneke.
Subs not used: Matthews, Smith, Watson, Harness.
Goals: Aneke (15), Stockley (52).
Booked: Aneke (68), Oshilaja (81), Pearce (93).
Sent Off: Aneke (70).
GILLINGHAM – Bonham, Jackson, Cundy, Tucker. Ogilvie, Dempsey, O’Keefe (McKenzie 59), Lee, O’Connor, Akinde, Oliver (MacDonald 94).
Subs not used: Morton, Willock, Bastien, Johnson, Maghoma.
Goals: Lee (1), Ogilvie (37), Dempsey (86).
Booked: Tucker (79), McKenzie (80).
REFEREE – Mr Kevin Johnson